NRL teams round 10, SuperCoach analysis: Pull pin on most popular buy David Armstrong

The current most popular SuperCoach buy of the week has been overtaken by a host of other purchases following a number of key happenings on teams day.

Should Newcastle young gun David Armstrong really be the most popular buy this week?

It’s a serious question especially after his main rival as a cheapie Sua Faalogo was named despite a knee injury (more below).

The Newcastle fullback was brought crashing back to earth somewhat on the weekend scoring just 25 points against the Warriors.

To be fair the conditions were atrocious and not conducive to any backline flair.

However, eight runs in 80 minutes is a serious concern and big drop off on the 17 runs he made the week before.

The low score knocked some gloss off Armstrong but he still has a BE of -47 and is projected to rise in price around $70K this week.

Medium term job security looks okay with Kalyn Ponga not due back until round 22 and his major contender for the position, Will Pryce, going just ‘fair’ in the NSW Cup last week.

But with Dom Young at a never-again price, Faalogo a great purchase for this week or next, plus the buys listed below under the cheesy title ‘CTW Season’, it’s impossible to fit them all in.

Meaning plenty of SuperCoaches will reverse trades on Armstrong.

David Armstrong is a popular cheapie but better buys are out there. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

WINNERS

* Sua Faalogo FLB/CTW $339,000 - Named to replace Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback for the Storm and with Pap out for at least a month Faalogo is now a brilliant borderline cheapie. While you can wait a week before his first price rise, those second guessing this trade should take a quick look at Faalogo’s Youtube highlights. The kid is a freak and potential best 17 player every week, it’s just a matter of this week or next. The only dampener is a minor knee knock from last week, so keep an eye on Late Mail.

* Blaize Talagi CTW $279,100 - Named in the fullback spot of Clint Gutherson (knee) and should get a month in the position to build on his $75,000 in price rises so far.

* Ben Trbojevic 2RF/CTW $355,300 - Huge news for the near-50,000 SuperCoaches who held with the popular early-season cheapie named to return from a hamstring injury in the starting back row.

* Lachlan Galvin 5/8 $416,200 - The Tigers tyro has been cleared of a hand injury and with a BE of 28 should punch out at least one small price rise. SuperCoaches face a decision on whether to sell to Keao Weeks next round given the Canberra young gun’s BE of -23, although the emergence of Faalogo as a cheapie could negate this.

* Apisai Koroisau HOK $551,600 - Named to return from a back injury for the Tigers but could be a sell regardless after averaging 48 over his last five games.

* Nathan Cleary FLB $859,800 - Big boost for owners with the Penrith talisman named to return after being rested last week due to hamstring soreness. However, those who don’t own face a big dilemma.

On one hand Cleary is, with all due respect to St Nicho, the HFB GOAT of SuperCoach. The Penrith stud has averaged 83, 108, 80 and 89PPG in the past four seasons and no player can match his ability to pump out consistent triple-figure scores.

On the other hand, provided he is fit, he is a lock to be selected for NSW which means you are recruiting him for a maximum of three games before he takes a break from club footy to play Origin. And that’s quite the presumption because Cleary is already carrying a hamstring niggle.

Sua Faalogo is a serious talent.

LOSERS

* Ryan Papenhuyzen FLB $692,600 - Out for 4-6 weeks with a leg fracture and a definite sell. Faalogo, Armstrong, Young, Reuben Garrick, Scott Drinkwater and James Tedesco are the most popular replacements.

* Cameron Murray 2RF $567,400 - Not much of a SuperCoach factor this year at the battling Bunnies and now out for 6-8 weeks with a hip flexor injury.

* Jahrome Hughes HFB $706,000 – Out for the Storm due to a calf injury.

CTW SEASON

Once the paupers of SuperCoach due to a scoring system that favoured workers, it’s now officially CTW season. Six of the top 10 most purchased players this week are CTW-eligible and there are also plenty of PODs to look out for:

* Dom Young CTW $549,700 - The Roosters’ attack is humming right now with the Tricolours scoring 100 points in the past fortnight. Young has posted consecutive 80+ SC scores and with a BE of -4 is predicted to add close to 100K over the next four games. The Roosters cover the round 13 bye but are no help in round 14 (which is looking like a tough round to cover). Take out the score of -15 and Young has averaged 80, and he’s at a seriously good price this week.

* AJ Brimson CTW/FLB $681,900 - The return to fullback has unlocked Brimson’s true potential along with scores of 94 points and 104 points. Still available for under $700K, with a pretty tempting draw and super low ownership of less than 2%, Brimson is hard to pass up.

* Reuben Garrick CTW/FLB $689,000 - The big BUY of last week delivered for owners with 102 points. With a BE of -36 and a matchup against the leaky Dolphins, there is much to like about Garrick this week. The draw after that (Broncos on Magic Round, Storm, bye, Panthers) is not very enticing but you aren’t buying Garrick for the short to medium term, you are buying him for the season.

* Jamayne Isaako CTW $776,000 - Speaking of goalkicking outside backs, how good is Isaako going right now? The Dolphins speedster backed up his 113 points against the Knights in round nine with 151 points against the Cowboys last week. The Dolphins have a decent short-term draw (Manly, Wests Tigers, Warriors, Raiders) and when the team scores points so does Isaako. The only quibble is the price, $776K is getting right out there when you can get Young for $200K less.

BUY

* Connor Watson 2RF/HOK $549,000 - The Roosters have a problem. Victor Radley was in great form early on this season until a hamstring injury forced him out of the past two games. In his absence Connor Watson has been absolutely sensational at lock making 100 tackles (and missing just three), 22 runs and showing silky skills in attack. With a BE of -49 and handy dual position status of HOK/2RF, Watson has plenty of appeal for those looking to get out of the Api Koroisau camp.

Radley has been named this week though and one would assume Watson slips back to the bench when that happens. Even off the bench Watson is a mid 40s score threat and with his low BE that’s still a $100K price rise over two weeks. Should he get one more start at lock (or hooker with Brandon Smith carrying a calf niggle) then you could add a bit to that. Tempting.

* David Fifita 2RF $858,500 - Nobody has ever questioned Fifita’s ability, but his application has been lacking at times. In a ‘contract year’ the big Titan has been super impressive punching out 50 odd points in base around which he is averaging another 35 in power and attack stats. His price ($860K) is pretty awkward and Origin selection looms but at just 7% ownership he makes a juicy POD.

SELL

* Canberra young guns James Schiller, Ethan Strange and Xavier Savage have provided great price rises but have peaked in price and have the bye this week.

* Likewise, Jack Bostock and Joe Chan have done their jobs and are popular sells. Bostock to Young actually MAKES money, while upgrades to Garrick, Isaako and co are very achievable.

Jahrome Hughes has a calf injury. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

FULL NRL TEAMS WRAP

One halfback in, more out.

Leading into round 10 the NRL’s injury crisis is worsening with champion Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes ruled out, while Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary will make his return.

A persistent hamstring injury sidelined him last week but the three-time premiership hero has been named to play Canterbury on Friday night at BlueBet Stadium.

Panthers coach on Ivan Cleary on Monday took blame for the mismanagement of his son’s return after he played against the Cowboys in round 8 but then missed last week’s win over South Sydney.

Meanwhile, Hughes has succumbed to a calf injury he was nursing last weekend and has been ruled out of Saturday’s top of the table clash with Cronulla at AAMI Park.

It’s forced a reshuffle of the Storm backline with Ryan Papenhuyzen also sidelined for up to six weeks with an ankle fracture that requires surgery.

Tyran Wishart has been named in the halves as Hughes’ replacement, with rising fullback sensation Sualauvi Faalogo given his shot in the No.1 jersey.

He suffered a knock to the knee in Saturday’s win over the Titans but has been cleared to take the field.

With Eels skipper Clint Gutherson sidelined following knee surgery, Blaize Talagi has been named in the No.1 jersey to face the Broncos without Adam Reynolds at CommBank Stadium on Friday night.

Josh Rogers, 27, will play his second NRL game in his place.

Elsewhere, players are flocking back to the field.

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell makes his return from suspension against St George Illawarra on Saturday afternoon in a team decimated by long term injuries to Cameron Murray, Jye Gray and Dean Hawkins. Halfback Dion Teaupa has been named to make his debut alongside Cody Walker, while Alex Johnston has been named on an extended bench but in name only as they struggle for numbers.

Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth is set to play his first game since copping a shoulder injury in round 5 against Manly on Thursday night, while the Sea Eagles have named second-rower Ben Trbojevic to return after missing three games with a hamstring injury.

Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau will return against the Knights at Scully Park in Tamworth on Saturday, who also welcome back representative stars Tyson Frizell (hamstring) and Jacob Saifiti (leg).

Daniel Tupou, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Victor Radley and Spencer Leniu will all return for the Roosters against the Warriors at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

-Pamela Whaley

Popular SuperCoach cheapie Ben Trbojevic is set to make his return from injury, Picture: Getty Images

NRL ROUND 10 TEAMS

DOLPHINS v SEA EAGLES

Thursday, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath

Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu

Reserves: 18. Kurt Donoghoe 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Edrick Lee 22. Oryn Keeley

Sea Eagles

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Karl Lawton 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Ben Trbojevic 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic

Bench: 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Matthew Lodge

Reserves: 18. Aaron Woods 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Jaxson Paulo 21. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 22. Ben Condon

PANTHERS v BULLDOGS

Friday, 6pm, BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Bench: 14. Jack Cole 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer

Reserves: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Brad Schneider 21. Preston Riki 22. Soni Luke

Bulldogs

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jacob Preston

Reserves: 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Blake Wilson 21. Toby Sexton 22. Connor Tracey 23. Jake Turpin

EELS v BRONCOS

Friday, 8pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels

1. Blaize Talagi 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Ethan Sanders 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 14. Bryce Cartright 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves: 18. Luca Moretti 19. Morgan Harper 20. Daejarn Asi 21. Wiremu Greig 22. Brendan Hands

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Josh Rogers 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tristan Sailor 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Benjamin Te Kura 21. Jordan Pereira 22. Blake Mozer

TIGERS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 3pm, Scully Park, Tamworth

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’A 4. Justin Olam 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Samuela Fainu 12. John Bateman 13. Isaiah Papali’i

Bench: 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole

Reserves: 18. Tallyn Da Silva 19. Solomon Alaimalo 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Alex Lobb 22. Solomona Faataape

Knights

1. David Armstrong 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Dylan Lucas 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Jack Cogger 20. Mat Croker 21. Jed Cartwright 22. Krustian Mapapalangi

DRAGONS v RABBITOHS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Dragons

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

Bench: 14. Fa’amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Toby Couchman 21. Luciano Leilua 22. Jesse Marschke

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Gehamat Shibasaki 3. Jack Wighton 4. Michael Chee Kam 5. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Dion Teaupa 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Siliva Havili

Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Matthew French

Reserves: 18. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 19. Leonard Skelton 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Chase Chapman 22. Alex Johnston

STORM v SHARKS

Saturday, 7:35pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm

1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Cameron Munster 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Joe Chan 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald

Reserves: 18. Kane Bradley 19. Jack Howarth 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis 22. Tui Kamikamica

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Royce Hunt 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Reserves: 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Kade Dykes 22. Billy Burns

ROOSTERS v WARRIORS

Sunday, 2pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Sandon Smith 19. Egan Butcher 20. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Siua Wong 22. Fetalaiga Pauga

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Adam Pompey

Reserves: 18. Jacob Laban 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Zyon Maiu’u 22. Edward Kosi 23. Freddy Lussick

TITANS v COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Chris Randall 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Keano Kini 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Joe Stimson 21. Jacob Alick-wiencke 22. Aaron Schoupp

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Bench: 14. Heilum Luki 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jason Taumalolo

Reserves: 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Braidon Burns 22. Jaxon Purdue

FOUR BIG GUNS BACK FOR ROOSTERS

The Sydney Roosters engine room is set for a double boost on Sunday with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Spencer Leniu to be named against the Warriors.

Sunday’s clash will mark Leniu’s return to the field after spending eight weeks on the sideline for calling Brisbane’s Ezra Mam a ‘monkey’ in round one in Las Vegas.

It will also be Waerea-Hargreaves’ 300th club game for the Bondi club.

Waerea-Hargreaves missed last week’s clash against the Broncos with a calf complaint.

Star centre Joey Manu said Waerea-Hargreaves will take the field despite being on a lighter training load on Tuesday.

“He always has those days off at the start of the week but at the back-end he is firing and taking people’s heads off at training. I think he’ll be right, 300 games here at Allianz (Stadium), I think he will want to play,” Manu said.

Lock Victor Radley hasn’t played since round seven after picking up a hamstring injury but is also expected to make a comeback this week.

“Yeah he is good. His hammy is good. I think he’s been running. I’m not sure if he has to pass any more (tests) but I think he’s ready to go,” utility Connor Watson said.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is among four Roosters set to return. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Hooker Brandon Smith is racing the clock to overcome a minor calf injury suffered against the Broncos last weekend.

He’ll be given the week to get the green light from medical staff.

“He’s got that calf but I’m not too exactly sure how that is, we’ll find out over the next couple of days what is going on there,” Watson said.

Watson, who started at lock last week in the absence of Radley, is the front runner to be named at starting hooker if Smith does not get the all clear.

Veteran winger Daniel Tupou has been sidelined with a knee injury but is also expected to be named.

-Fatima Kdouh

PAPENHUYZEN REPLACEMENT REVEALED

Melbourne half Jahrome Hughes has been ruled out of Saturday night’s blockbuster against Cronulla at AAMI Park but fullback sensation Su’a Faalogo has been cleared to take over the No.1 jersey in the absence of Ryan Papenhuyzen.

Hughes picked up a calf injury in the Storm’s win over the Titans and will miss at least one week, with Tyran Wishart expected to deputise at halfback in his absence.

Papenhuyzen was also sidelined in that game with an ankle fracture and there were fears Faalogo could be out for some time after leaving the field with 15 minutes remaining with a knee issue.

However, it is understood that Faalogo has been cleared to make his starting debut at fullback as the Storm look to reclaim top spot from Cronulla – his two first grade appearances for the club have come from the interchange bench and on the wing.

Storm winger Xavier Coates will also miss the Sharks game with a hamstring injury.

-Brent Read

Originally published as NRL teams round 10, SuperCoach analysis: Pull pin on most popular buy David Armstrong